Red Rum - Rise of a Hero

Here is a tribute to Red Rum. England's priceless treasure. A horse who defied all thought by winning three Grand Nationals in five years(the other two he came in second!)
In late March of 1973; while the Big Red Chestnut in America was approaching a Triple Crown run for the Ages, Across the Atlantic England saw her own Equine Hero ascend. This is his first Grand National where he and the Great Crisp staged a race that can only be qualified as mythological.
With the Grand National being over 4 miles I edited the race itself while trying to maintain its spirit and drama. Since several KZbin Posters have uploaded the complete and unedited version of this race, I hope people will take the time to watch it(as well as all the races of this gift from the gods equine).
For those new to Red Rum this is an excellent site to visit and learn more about "Rummy":
www.redruminsid...

[@karenlee-johnston7118]

The national makes some horses, only one horse ever made the national- Red Rum! Legend of the course, never forgotten!

[@Hen71557]

For all the haters out there who are convinced that racehorses are forced into doing something they don't want to do I'd suggest watch each & every one of Red Rum's 5 Nationals, if ever there was a horse who knew where he was, what he was there to do & loved every single minute of it Red Rum was him...he was never particularly spectacular on park courses but Aintree brought him alive, he loved the place, his 2 second places were as admirable as his 3 wins, he hated to lose a Grand National, he owned it.....

[@shaungrogan3112]

Gabriella Grummitt hey matey if there is reincarnation i wannie comeback as a racehorse.Your comment is/was the best in defending a sport we love..How do we see so many undseated horse cross the line at the finnish its because as you rightly say they love to run and jump..As for the whip we should remind people that a whip is essential to correct a horse..I love animals

[@michaelmanning7765]

I couldn’t of put it better myself well said ❤

[@carb10]

my parents took a huge gamble on red rum and the winnings provided them with enough money from their savings to put a deposit on a house in 1975. I inherited that house on their deaths. I owe Red rum my life. he gave me a home

[@TruckerJenkins82]

Brilliant. Brought a tear to my eye did that.

[@megssmartthinking]

My mums parents put a bet on him back in 1977 and won a lot of money. They managed to afford a week aways holiday.

[@lycangypsypriest3190]

carb10 great!!!!

[@shanecanfield5074]

Murder spelled backwards is that

[@DdotRay86]

What a class story.

[@asg1969]

My toddler years age 2-7 were spent in the UK, in Wandsworth and Basingstoke. I still clearly recall getting excited to see Rummy run the Grand National. My first ever hero, and after reading and studying his history, his chronically deteriorating foot ailment, and then studying his accomplishments....well, he may be my first and last sports hero! What an amazing spirit, will, determination, courage, and class. God rest his soul. Thank you for making my childhood one of such joy and happiness.

[@redrum4100]

Ditto.

[@digitaurus]

What a race. How can anyone doubt the quality of a horse with a heart big enough to win this brutal race three times and come second twice ? An unmatchable achievement. It's terrible to see Grey Sombrero in the background. I have such mixed feelings about this race but Red Rum was a truly remarkable horse.

[@digitaurus]

My heart goes out to Grey Sombrero every time I watch this wonderful race.

[@goldcup11]

Don't recall crying in 1977, ( to busy counting my winnings, lol ), but I certainly shed a tear or two in October 1995 when he died. Apart from being a horse, we shall never see the likes of again, we also shared the same birthday 3/5/1965 and that made him that little bit more special to me.

[@Vinchiamo]

CRISP was and still is Australia greatest ever Steeple chaser. He travelled half way around the world from Australia to England where 43 years ago it took so much longer then today, and was extremely taxing on Crisps fitness and condition. And because of his phenomenal Australian racing career, he had to give Red Rum an up and coming champion nearly two stone in weight. And he still would have won if not for his jockey loosing Crisps rhythm after jumping the last after he veered of course and had to correct. Full credit to Red Rum for perservering to wear down Crisp in this greatest ever National, and to developing into the absolute champion he became after competing in all his later Grand nationals, but it was a tragedy to see Crisp be beaten considering the huge Weight difference and what Crisp had to go through in travelling to be in the race. Red Rum may have been the Greatest, but Crisp's run in defeat was one of the greatest performances ever

[@jamiemidge4983]

Crisp was a much bigger horse, he was carrying 1/8th of his weight compared to red rums 1/7th. Just saying.

[@wzbmitbbs]

@@jamiemidge4983 bolt didn't carry more weight than other 100m athletes

[@jamiemidge4983]

Jason Li Are you trying to make a point or what?

[@Vinchiamo]

​@@jamiemidge4983That's an incorrect comment about carrying 1/8 his weight verse 1/7 Rum's weight. A normal thoroughbred horse weighs around 450 kg and big horse around 495 kg. Rum was carrying a bit above 10 stone which is just under 65 kg, where 1/7 his weight would have Rum around 450 kg which would be correct, but Crisp was carrying 12 stone which is 76 kg, 1/8 his weight would have Crisp weighing 608 kg which is completely wrong. Crisp was a decent size horse but wouldn't have been above 490 kg. If Crisp only had to carry 1/7 his weight like Rum did, he would have only carried 70 kg and won the race by 20 lengths.

[@jamiemidge4983]

Vinchiamo I honestly can’t remember were I got that information from, but yes 600kg seems very unlikely. Two great horses regardless!

[@RikiNewtonMusicianSongwriter]

RED RUM was THE most SPECIAL race horse that EVER lived.. HANDS DOWN he was THE finest & the most charismatic personality who touched everyone who met him & watched him win THREE GRAND NATIONAL'S & TWO 2ND PLACES in FIVE YEARS.. a TRULY AMAZING FEAT.. God Speed Red Rum & may you rest in peace in the LEGENDARY section of Heaven..LOL. Bless him.. What a horse !! Peace !! Rxx

[@confiseur]

The greatest national horse ever with no ifs or buts.

[@venicemackay9244]

confiseur there needs to be a movie about red rum.

[@carb10]

end of

[@buffalosowljah]

@@venicemackay9244 very surprised there isnt... a true legend of a horse

[@MB-zm8lc]

The race was such an incredible test then the fences were awesome especially bechers brook such an insane drop on the landing side. To think he won 3 times and finished second twice never falling makes him even more of a legend. The race today bears no resemblance. To think he ran over 5 furlongs as a youngster. There will never be another ' Rummy'.

[@fionadow1277]

How could anyone dislike this video. Met Red Rum many times he was a lovely horse. I miss him so much. Simply the best.

[@iamgodUK]

There will never be another horse like Red Rum, no if's buts or maybe's the greatest there ever was.

[@Hen71557]

Always the greatest horse that has ever been....it's hats off and a tremendous reception, you've never heard one like it at Liverpool. Zeroed

[@Mazza1409]

I absolutely agree. Racing over jumps is a different game altogether. Red Rum was a hero and loved by the whole country. He was more than just a NH horse.

[@JustSiobhan]

What a truly spectacular horse. There is no better way to celebrate these beautiful and highly trained animals than the Grand National. And for those of you opposed to it because of the casualties over the years, please take a moment to think how well these horses are treated, how much their trainers love them and how much the horses themselves love to race. A racehorse is a big animal, and if one didn't want to race, believe me it wouldn't.

[@mickells23a]

got checked recently in Tralee, Ireland because he was an english horse...I was not even born in 74 but he was class...don't care if he was English, Welsh , Irish etc...what he was was awesome

[@farmeronecow]

What a fantastic tribute to an absolutely amazing horse and national treasure, i remember watching this race very well as i child, having my pennies on Grey Sombrero, thanks for posting, really loved watching this...

[@martinhill9261]

I've seen this 50 times,and still shiver and cry every time.

[@CozzieBrett]

Crisp did get his revenge. A race in Doncaster his only run after the Grand National-Equal weights and beat Red Rum by 10 lengths but injured in the run and retired. Red Rum was amazing his record in the Grand National speaks for itself. But Crisp carrying a weight now banned in the race was truly something special as well.

[@laureah21]

Poor crisp, tried his heart out... so tired at the end!

[@CharlotteWeb100]

I remember Richard Pitman talking about this race and saying how he was filled with terror at the sound of Red Rum hurtling up behind him - hooves thundering on firm ground and nostrils flapping loudly. That must have been soul destroying especially knowing Crisp was all out, had nothing left in the tank and so close to home.

[@Unaeq]

@@CharlotteWeb100my great uncle is Richard😊

[@251crimsonflummox090]

Love this horse and love the video. He has to be the best horse that ever lived.

[@helenemillar7626]

A wonderful tribute! Gets me in tears every time! xx

[@blueroanfilly1]

i can only imagine how hard steeple chase is i know little of it but he look TIRED yet he still beat them you can tell he put his heart and soul into his races an amazing runner he is. thanks foor makeing this great video.

[@sandram9243]

What a amazing horse he just flew through those fences, I nearly my 1st birthday when he won his first Grand National.

[@jtyt1123]

Greatest British sporting achievement....legend

[@Spiritus_wolf]

He was a hero to me,this horse restored faith when all faith was lost,and at 12 years old he did not just win the race of 1977 he owned it 22 lengths between him and churchtownboy,quite simply the greatest there ever was of ever now to be

[@marksheridan4421]

Red Rum and Liverpool, two words inextricably linked forever.

[@shazla7875]

Omg what a horse gives me the chills anytime i watch him. wow so amazing what a beauty 💜💜

[@Captainblack710]

a true english sporting icon and loved by a nation, rip big fella

[@debbieevans8301]

BLOODY HELL WHAT A RACER HE CAME FROM NOWHEWRE TO WIN THE RACE A TRUE HORSE LEGEND

[@tea11monleys19]

Wonderful video for a wonderful horse. Secuteriat, and Seabiscuet are all very well but they didn't have to go four miles, over 30 jumps bigger then cars, dodging other horses. You watch the grooms at the beginning of the race and you can see that they dont even care about winning, they just want the horse home in one piece and in previous years that was not always the case. Those horses have to have the hearts of lions.

[@alankenworthy9722]

There's a lump in my throat as I proudly and fondly remember Ginger McCain, and the day he showed me Amberleigh House in his stable after he had won the National for his son Don. That was Red Rum's stable. Now we have a share in a wonderful horse called What Happens Now , a good ground speedster who stays forever and NEVER gives up a fight. Can you blame me for hoping to see him in the Grand National in 2019 or 2020? What Happens Now will happen soon....

[@liamthelegend87]

Thank you so much for posting this video. I have become all passionate about the wonderful Ginger McCain, the story of Red Rum and the delightful horse Amberleigh House.What a joy to be able to see this footage. :)

[@Ali74]

To win the most brutal horse race on the planet 3 times and finish 2nd twice in a 5 year period is an untouchable achievement.

[@redrum4100]

I was six too! My dad always put money on for me. I recall him doing me Red Rum the first time and after that I always backed Red Rum. Bet you were bawling your eyes out in 1977. I certainly was. Funny, my mrs says I'm immune to crying. I always tell her: "Replay the 1977 Grand National and I'll prove you wrong."

[@lixton79]

My gransha loved red rum Was his horse And told me about this race He is literally gliding across the ground Its unbelievable

[@j.boylan3343]

I got in to race riding because of red rum and loved every moment best years of my life. And yes the horse's love it as well.

[@redrum4100]

"to busy counting my winnings, lol" - ha, funny! "we also shared the same birthday 3/5/1965 and that made him that little bit more special to me" - definitely.

[@Kierkegaard73]

@sadieianbelle Thank you for the kind comment. Red Rum was truly one amazing equine. Winning one Grand National is amazing in itself, to win three in five years defies thought. I am surprised at how Americans that honor the noble equine seem apathetic; or in the least unaware, towards just how phenomenal this story really is.

[@Kierkegaard73]

@Cordeliadog That is a recollection to possess that many would love to have! I envy you to have actually seen in person not just one of the greatest moments in the sport of Horse-racing, but one of its most legendary noble Equines. I hope someday maybe those negatives of yours might be produced. I would love to see them! Thanks again Cordeliadog for stopping by and commenting

[@TheRedfoot86]

Thank you!!! I've had this argument with a lot of people, but they assume that he did indeed fall after looking at Rummy's Wiki page! Nice to know someone else has done some homework on Red that as validation instead of putting down un-sourced material that would taint the great one's achievements

[@martinsowerby8074]

I also remember him losing in a photo finish in the Hennessey Gold Cup

[@slickwillywize]

3 nationals?!!! Holy fuck sticks

[@berniecoles2337]

I was lucky enough to sit on him "What a legend"i feel lucky to do that.God bless you!!

[@trucksandtuners3068]

that's my granda brian fletcher I do miss him because he sadly passed 😵

[@Cordeliadog]

Wonderful video! When I was a student from CA in London, I took the train to Liverpool to see the Grand National. It was on my Bucket List. Would you believe it was March 31, 1973? Sometimes you just get lucky! I recently found the negatives to the photos I took that day and it made me curious. That is how I came to find you video. Thanks for putting it in great perspective. Great music, too!

[@dkizxpt-su3ze]

Red Rum, the greatest race horse that ever lived

[@victoriasneyd1409]

Apologies for the above comment. My 11mnth old evidently knows how to use youtube. But Frankel is also up there within the best!!

[@dlamiss]

Victoria Sneyd Golden Miller Arkle L'ascargot, Best Mate AND Desert Orchid are 4 NH horses i would say were better than Rummy. Was the Grand Nationals greatest ever horse Red Rum- Yes of course. Was Red Rum the greatest horse that ever lived- the answer has to be no......

[@johntim3491]

@@dlamiss - and yet Golden Miller only finished the National once in 5 attempts - Rummy cleared 150 fences faultlessly for 3 wins, 2 seconds, a course record (beating Golden Miller's time by 20s) , saving the National from extinction, beating 2 time Gold Cup Winner L'Escargot - all this for a small horse of 15 hands jumping huge fences & chasing down giants like Crisp who people moan was carrying top weight - not even close to 1/7th body weight Rummy was carrying. Horses for courses as you say - but the National always has been the ultimate test of Heart, Courage & Stamina - only 1 winner.

[@dlamiss]

@@johntim3491 you make excellent points but you say yourself lascargot was a double gold cup and national winner

[@johntim3491]

@@dlamiss - yep but those self-aggrandizing "elite" Gold Cup "steeple chase" horses (really flat racing with a few sticks in the way) demonstrate again and again and again that they can't hack it over the real fences. They can't jump. When they come up against a Superior Course AND Superior Horse that CAN jump - they are shown to be "not all that". We all know that Gold Cup Winners would "have a go" at the National it they could actually jump - it's why people make such a big thing of Golden Miller & L'Escargot having done both - i.e. deep down we all know a horse isn't a truly great steeple chaser until it actually gets over the National fences. Golden Miller was terrible - L'Escargot much better (only falling once), Arkle, Best Mate etc. etc. weren't good enough to try without being a danger to themselves - & the only other 2 "elite" Gold Cup Winners I know of were destroyed after falling in the National. Elite "steeplechasers" indeed. Red Rum 100 races without falling, 5 Nationals without falling, placing 11221, course record....bla bla bla.

[@anna-mariegara7965]

Buried at the finishing Post.....RIP legend

[@redrum4100]

And facing the right way, don't forget.

[@tigerman445]

What a horse..WOW...Three times Champ and two times second in The Grand National..The Greatest.

[@lycangypsypriest3190]

Great honourable video!!my hero Red Rum.god bless the darling for infinity.lots of love from i wolf.🎋🐎

[@Nell0111]

fabulous footage thanks very much

[@Ellie-cf2tj]

my heart beat so fast!what a horse he's amazing,what I would of done to meet him.he's so gorgeous as well.

[@pedrosousa9496]

WoW!!!!! Is the first time ever i see the great horse, RED RUM!!!!!

[@Kierkegaard73]

@juli4931 Why thank you very much. Rummy & Ginger deserves all the credit here. I simply took what they phenomenally actually did and tried to present it in a way to honor their memory justly. Hopefully, not just the UK, but eventually all the world will join in celebrating and honoring this amazing story. P.S. 4 miles 4 furlongs I believe is the distance of the race itself

[@hswatnik]

splendid viewing will keep on my favorites in hopes of many more watches- thank you-

[@Kierkegaard73]

@liamthelegend87 Thank you. McCain's story is one to marvel and cheer. Who could not find it extraordinary that a part-time taxi driver/trainer had been keeping his eye on R.R. for sometime before Rummy became available at auction, and then have the wherewithal to convince Le Mare to purchase him knowing the situation of Rummy's hoof? Then, after the purchase, using the controversial method of rehabilitating him on the Sea & Sands of Southport - unbelievable yet real inspirational story

[@JamesN976]

To think he did all he did while suffering from pedalostitis, the greatest race horse there will ever be.

[@TheMakersRage]

The Grand National Steeple chase is by far the most grueling horse race in the world. The fact Red Rum won it three times and came second twice is a near miracle. You could ride this fucking horse into battle and he wouldn't flinch. Seabiscuit would die of a heart attack after one lap.

[@MarkMahoney]

What a horse! Great little vid, loving the music!!

[@redrum4100]

Thanks for backing me up, and for providing excellent information! Perhaps all the people who have been thumbing down my "Red Rum never fell" can stop doing it. Like you say, slipping between fences and actually falling are two completely different things.

[@Cordeliadog]

I love the music! I matches the moment and the historical perspective. You can watch it someplace else if you just want the race called from the booth.

[@DavidOCru]

One of the best horses to ever come out of Ireland!

[@kepnjem]

I've stroked Rummy! My claim to fame. He's a legend.

[@megssmartthinking]

Yep back again for the 5th year running. 2021 National anyone??

[@Cordeliadog]

I was there that day, March 31...took pictures of History!

[@niamhkimberley9069]

Best horse who lived done England proud and nothing less that horse was pure spirit and love

[@tonyparkes9541]

he's irish

[@lycangypsypriest3190]

I love this great video!!!.im sure red rum does to!!!🐎

[@lycangypsypriest3190]

P.s.the music has magical has is fitting for the Magical Red Rum!!

[@ss2ab]

He kept hitting the one who was 2nd, but the rider of Red Rum wasn't hitting him and he still passed.

[@hills123ful]

brought tears to my eyes !! how the hell did he come back from such a lead ,,, great !!

[@mrkadhum]

What a beautiful video

[@megssmartthinking]

I’m back once again, 10 minutes to go until 2018 Grand National.

[@nuked77dublin22]

Love the "for England". Redrum was an Irish horse

[@Broski2322]

I actually just ten mins ago fixed a boiler for the man who looked after red rum ! Waw ! Had his ribbon their in a frame

[@leighryan5807]

Top horse top trainer if any horse matches or beats his records I still feel it will be 2nd best to red rum best known horse in the world....

[@TheRedfoot86]

Crisp ran only once more after the '73 National, the next season at Doncaster. He beat Rummy in a match race by 10 lengths but got injured and had to be retired

[@Kierkegaard73]

@wilsoncombatgrl Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I believe every once in awhile within the realm of noble equines a personality arises that transcends their sport and becomes a public icon justly worthy of great celebration and inspiration. Thanks again for leaving a comment

[@Kierkegaard73]

@arkleno1 Thanks for the comment and the one on my 'Aura of a Legend'. I can only imagine that to meet Ginger McCain must be one hell of an awesome moment!!!!

[@dawnkeir549]

never any horse near this legend

[@megssmartthinking]

Who comes here every year when it's Grand National?

[@Kierkegaard73]

@Ali74 your sentiment perfectly captures the indomitable will of this great descendant of St Simon. I sometimes imagine this performance is some lost chapter of the Iliad. Where Pallas Athene whispers in Rummy's ear to boldly rise up and meet the challenge of 'running' down the Great Crisp. Thanks for the comment

[@RIXLAZZZ]

so true mate, everyone knows crisp was a fantastic horse bro

[@htcolon]

What a champion! Love that horse!

[@amythompson4448]

I would never ride with that many horses in a race...too risky and dangerous...I give props to the jockeys who are brave enough to do that

[@Staffielover118]

Awwwww i love red rum sad he is not here now

[@pafi3232]

redrum greatest horse ever even is his record gets beaten it cant the fences have been changed so his record cant be beatem

[@jellyboy123]

the grand national its the greatest race in the world at the end its the best of the best people say horses die but they die a legend,

[@manuela.k]

Its terrible when horses die because they must do this races...... The most owners of the horses want money!!!! And the most horses they die are not fame....so ...they dont die at a legend....horseraces are terrible!!!!!

[@carlykaiser]

Wonderful video! I see the last song is called "Salvation" but is there any more detail on it? Its beautiful!

[@goldcup11]

I agree, he never fell. He unseated Brian Fletcher at Haydock in 1974, but he also slipped up (between fences, Brian Fletcher again) at Haydock in October 1975. Its not technically a fall, but he was on his ass. I was there and remember the shocked silence, that such a "national hero" was on the deck.

[@taksim2010]

Wonderful video!

[@TheMakersRage]

Red Rum - Hero of Ireland. Born and bred in Kilkenny

[@shaungrogan3112]

RIP the best jumper bar none

[@colonisedtartan9539]

Red rum the greatest Irish born horse ever

[@Kierkegaard73]

@mickells23a ...Red Rum's saga appears as if it arose straight out of the pages of a lost Norse or Greek myth. A truly 'Awesome' tale of Heroism & Nobility

[@kevinthomas9002]

dont care wat u say the greatest horse ever

[@Ali74]

It was a death race for horses then. Fatalities galore. To win it once is a great achievement, three times is beyond extraordinary. The race was losing popularity and animal rights groups almost had it banned, the success of Red Rum kept the race alive.

[@tonyparkes9541]

not true mrs topham wanted to sell the course for housing in 1964 and a few race courses closed for that reason at a round that time my local course manchester being one of them

[@anneshaw9681]

Crisp12 stone, Red Rum 10 stone five. The best horse finished second. The only other time they met at equal weights Crisp won by 10 lenghts.

[@andisadler2897]

What did Crisp ever win? the national?....no Rummy won it 3 times and finished 2nd twice. Grow up you daft Aussie. Rummy was still fresh at the finish in 1973, please dont talk trash no more. RED RUM IS A FOOKIN LEGEND.

[@protarget1]

What Anne Shaw is saying is a fact. There's an old saying. "Horses for Courses" No other horse ever proved the point. Simply Red Rum was at best a mediocre steeplechaser. But at Aintree in the Grand National became a different animal. Handicappers plus all racing experts agreed. in the Grand National Red Rum was 20lb better animal

[@andisadler2897]

Yes and no horse Had stamina like red rum that too is a fact. I take it or leave it its the truth

[@jamesgaskell4568]

Andi Sadler what did Crisp win nothing but a small race called the Queen Mother’s Champion Chase at Cheltenham. Did Red Rum wear him down yes but it’s debatable as to what would have happened had Pittman whipped him on he’s left hand side and not lost 6 lengths at the elbow

[@simontruss4816]

Poor old Crisp...No justice

[@Lizzy--hs6zx]

What's this background music?

[@Kierkegaard73]

@Pepperami369 That he is, that he is! Red Rum deserves his own chapter added to Plutarch's 'Lives'!